Move Well – digital resource designed to assist adults 55+ to remain physically active

Description

Following the prolonged presence and subsequent impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults within our community, Meath LSP recognised the profound impact it had on the health and well-being of our older adults. As a result of the imposed restrictions, social isolation and loneliness became more prevalent with the effects presenting as poor physical and mental health within that population group.

Participants in the Move Well programme prior to COVID would have been regular attendees at our programmes. The suite of physical activity programmes Meath LSP provides for the older adult concentrates on activities which contribute to maintaining stronger and healthier bodies, increased positive mental health and fall prevention. Key to the programmes is the outlet they provide for enhanced social interaction between the participants – it is often the highlight of their week.

Meath LSP was very cognisant of the challenges faced by older adults at this time, particularly the reduced opportunities to be physically active within social settings. As a result of this, we designed and produced a digital resource entitled “Move Well” to assist adults 55+ to remain physically active in their home/community environment.
At the time there was a strong emphasis on “Zoom” classes and being part of an “online community”. In general, older adults who weren`t IT literate were encouraged to ask assistance from a grandchild etc to ensure that they were able to access the different online platforms, this was irrespective of having access to good broadband. When we reviewed those findings, we were keen to ensure that whatever we designed would provide ease of access to the majority of the older population. We felt that everyone despite their digital literacy skills would either have access to a TV with a DVD player or a TV/PC with a USB port.
In hindsight we were proven right with large numbers of those who availed of the Move Well resource delighted that they didn`t need additional assistance to take part in the classes.
To maintain the connectivity aspect, we provided two options for the participants:
• Zoom classes with a qualified dance tutor – 1 hr six weekly sessions of fun, movement and laughter
• Dancing in the park – socially distant dance activities in local parks; initially dance classes were for those living within the 5km area and then when restrictions eased, we moved those classes to more central venues e.g Blackwater Park in Navan & Deerpark in Carlanstown, Kells. Dancing in the Park ran for 6 weeks as part of the follow-on from the Move Well resources.
The Move Well programme is delivered by Meath LSP qualified tutors and includes 4 x 30-minute seated Pilates classes and 10 x 40-minute dance classes.
The Pilates classes are gentle and modifiable and easy to replicate. Self-reported regular participation in the class saw increased strength and flexibility along with improved mobility and balance. All contributed to increased fall prevention – an absolute necessity given the fear older adults had about going to the hospital at the time.

The dance routines were easy to follow and didn`t require a dance partner. Popular dances such as Waltz and Charleston were featured with an introduction to line dancing.

Ensuring that the Move Well project showcased the very best of all things, Royal, accompanying music & song were provided by local Meath musicians.

Aim of Initiative

The overall aim of the Move Well programme was to maintain and increase physical activity levels in older adults and to enhance the feeling of being socially connected. In an effort to address the increasing negative impact which COVID-19 was having on older adults, Meath LSP set out to design a programme that would:
• Provide older adults with a physical resource that they could use in the safety of their own home
• Include programme tutors who were known to the adults – providing a familiar face
• Provide older adults with a resource which would encourage them to maintain activity levels in the comfort of their own home
• Provide a resource which older people could access from their home -some of our older group have issues accessing online information due to poor internet connectivity or unable to use digital platforms
• Provide a virtual platform for older adults to participate in a group activity and allowing them to showcase their learned skills
• To provide activity programmes that would increase core stability, balance and fall prevention.
• To improve functional movement and mobility
• To provide a social outlet where older adults can come together irrespective of socio economic background, ability, gender or age.
• To reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation
• To provide an environment which is safe, fun and accessible for all
• To maintain cognitive function and overall sense of health and wellbeing

The World Health Organisation conducted an in-depth report into aging and health and determined that social connectedness is a key determinant that enables alder adults to age more successfully.

Feedback from participants on our Move Well programme highlighted that they felt that by taking part in our programme and having that regular contact with other adults, that their anxiety levels reduced and their mood and overall mental health improved.

Who is it aimed at

Adults aged 55+ from all settings – living at home, in social care, and community settings; in retirement homes and disability settings.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Priority 1: Engagement of well-briefed tutors already recognisable to the older adult communities. It was hugely important to use the tutors that the older adults were familiar with from programme delivery pre-Covid. That familiarity helped ease the participant into the activity and provided a sense of connectivity and comfort to the older adult. We took the time to sit down with the tutors and provide them with a comprehensive understanding of who the target audience for this resource was, as well as how and where older adults would participate in these classes whilst recognising that limited space and technology may pose challenges.
2. Priority 2: Selection of a local videographer that also had a clear understanding of the programme, the target audience, and what the end product would look like.
   We engaged a videographer that had experience in making videos and DVDs for the disability sector and who had expertise in directing tutors to deliver messages in a clear, concise, and articulate manner. Videographer excelled in the integration of background music with the activity classes – making for a smooth, crisp, and easy-to-understand end product.
3. Priority 3: Promotion and distribution of the DVD & USB resource and participation of over 659 older adults in the Move Well programme.
   Meath LSP has a contact mailing list of 6672 older adults (50+) and an additional database of forty-nine organisations working directly with older adults. This is made up of active retirement groups, Men`s Sheds, ICA, adult disability groups, Family Resource Centres and HSE Older Adult services. Meath LSP also promoted the Move Well programme through Meath County Council PPN, the local radio station, LMFM; through local print media and through the national Keep Well programme.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Before committing to the production of the Move Well resource, Meath LSP had to determine the potential interest in the following:
   • Interest in availing of a DVD or USB
   • Interest in participating in Zoom classes
   • Interest in participating in socially distant dance classes
   To gauge interest in demand for either resource and follow-up classes, Meath LSP conducted a survey amongst our older adult contact database. We determined that 65% of those polled would prefer a DVD, whilst the remainder had a preference for the USB format.Again, having so many older adults on a contact database helped in the manufacture of the resources in that we were able to produce the correct ratio of DVDs to USBs. The fact that we contacted so many about their resource preference actually helped promote the resource to that population group and increased interest in the online classes and dancing in the park programme.
2. Trying to condense all of the programme activities into usable clear material proved to be challenging. The tutors we use are excellent and appropriately qualified, they generally work in environments where participants are directly in front of them – they can see if their instructions are being clearly understood and carried out. The Move Well programme required tutors to deliver classes to no one but a cameraman, it required them to deliver instructions in a clear, concise, and audible manner – this in itself often required several re-takes. It was necessary to ensure that the tutors were positioned correctly, spoke clearly, and didn’t rush through the class, all while directing the cameraman to capture precise shots with correct lighting and sound surround.
3. Generally, when we develop a resource whether it`s a flyer or information sheet we distribute it through our weekly face-to-face sessions. Given that we were no longer allowed to have face-to-face classes we had to find an alternate way of distributing the DVDs and USBs. To help us overcome this challenge we used the services provided through Meath County Council`s Community Response group which assisted with the delivery of the resources and also Meath County Council provided support through their postal service.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. The Move Well DVD/USB was delivered to 659 older individuals.The Move Well programme delivered by Meath LSP qualified tutors and included 4 x 30-minute seated Pilates classes and 10 x 40-minute dance classes was complimented by 6 weeks of online Zoom classes. This regular “connect” ensured that participants were doing the activities correctly, which was crucial in enhancing mobility and increasing core stability. The Pilates classes were gentle and modifiable and easy to replicate. Self-reported regular participation in the class saw increased strength and flexibility along with improved mobility and balance. The dance routines were easy to follow and didn`t require a dance partner. Popular dances such as Waltz and Charleston were featured with an introduction to line dancing. Again, self-reporting of increased physical activity and overall mood was to the fore with the dance routines.
2. Reduced feelings of social isolation and loneliness and enhanced feelings of social connectivity.
   Participants all reported that the regular sessions helped to maintain social connectivity. They reported having a stronger sense of belonging, which translated into better physical, mental and emotional health. That feeling of belonging was very evident when the older adults were able to come together for the socially distant dancing in the parks. There was a sense that they were part of something, that they belonged to the Move Well group and were proud of that association.
3. Greater engagement and awareness by older adults, local agencies and groups about the activities and programmes Meath LSP offer to the older adult community within Meath.
   Our Move Well programme was well recognised locally for the approach taken to engaging older adults in physical activity at a time when huge restrictions were placed on that population group in particular. Meath LSP is part of a network of 29 LSP`s all of whom are tasked with increasing participation levels in sport and physical activity. The Move Well resource was shared with the other LSP`s and distributed locally to their older adult contacts. In total over 4500 older adults nationwide benefitted from the Move Well programme.